The Thurn-Valsassina counts in Carinthia

Abstract

The counts of Thurn-Valsassina are among the oldest noble families in Europe. According to tradition they originate from France; from there they fled in the 10^th century to Northern Italy and later expanded to the Habsburg lands. There, their most important seigneuries were Radovljica and Pliberk/Bleiburg, which count Johann Ambros changed in 1618 into fideicommis (trust) and were in the middle of the 17^th century a foundation for the formation of two independent family branches. The Pliberk/Bleiburg branch that is still alive at present day had strong influence on the development of the nowadays Slovene Carinthia, of Mežiška dolina in particular, where they had besides and extensive landed property several industrial plants. Among them most important was the ironworks in Ravne. After World War II, all Yugoslav possession of the Thurn-Valsassina counts was nationalised.